今天的经文包括一个众树寻找君王的比喻，这个比喻是在以色列动荡不安的士师时代出现的，它强烈地批评那些以不正确的理由去寻找君王的人；寻找君王时，他们不去寻求神的帮助和认可，反而只顾促进自己的权力和自私的野心。
在这个比喻中，众树最初打算从它们的树之中找寻一个王，它们便找橄榄树，可是橄榄树太满足于出产橄榄和油了，而无花果树和葡萄树也同样有自己有价值和目标的生活，它们看不到有什么理由要放弃这些来管理其他的树木。
在绝望中，众树只好去找荆棘说：“请你来作我们的王。”荆棘简直不能相信自己的运气，其他的傻子既然不愿意接受这职务，它是乐于接受的！它的剌和钩向来都被众树鄙视，现在它可以向它们显颜色了！
荆棘君王要求绝对的忠诚，它恐吓那些不忠于它的树木。讲这个比喻的约坦，最后所说的话的基本意思是：“愿你们得到你们配得的领导者。”
我们得到的往往只是我们配得的领导者，而不是我们真正需要的贤士。然而，因着神的慈爱，我们有基督作我们的君王和我们极为需要的救主。凡投在衪荫庇下的人，都是有福的。
主啊，我们若寻找有野心多过智慧的领袖，求祢赦免。又求祢帮助我们，投在那位为拯救我们被钉十架的君王的荫庇下。阿们。
士师记 9:7-20
7有人将这事告诉约坦，他就去站在基利心山顶上，向众人大声喊叫说：“示剑人哪，你们要听我的话，神也就听你们的话。
8有一时树木要膏一树为王，管理它们，就去对橄榄树说：‘请你做我们的王。’
9橄榄树回答说：‘我岂肯止住供奉神和尊重人的油，飘摇在众树之上呢？’
10树木对无花果树说：‘请你来做我们的王。’
11无花果树回答说：‘我岂肯止住所结甜美的果子，飘摇在众树之上呢？’
12树木对葡萄树说：‘请你来做我们的王。’
13葡萄树回答说：‘我岂肯止住使神和人喜乐的新酒，飘摇在众树之上呢？’
14众树对荆棘说：‘请你来做我们的王。’
15荆棘回答说：‘你们若诚诚实实地膏我为王，就要投在我的荫下。不然，愿火从荆棘里出来，烧灭黎巴嫩的香柏树。’
16现在你们立亚比米勒为王，若按诚实、正直善待耶路巴力和他的全家，这就是酬他的劳。
17从前我父冒死为你们争战，救了你们脱离米甸人的手。
18你们如今起来攻击我的父家，将他众子七十人杀在一块磐石上，又立他婢女所生的儿子亚比米勒为示剑人的王，他原是你们的弟兄。
19你们如今若按诚实、正直待耶路巴力和他的家，就可因亚比米勒得欢乐，他也可因你们得欢乐。
20不然，愿火从亚比米勒发出，烧灭示剑人和米罗众人；又愿火从示剑人和米罗人中出来，烧灭亚比米勒。”
"Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, 'Come and be our king.'" - Judges 9:10
Today's reading includes a parable in which the trees search for a king. The parable emerges from a time of turmoil in the period of the judges in Israel. It comes as a stinging critique of people who seek a king for all the wrong reasons. Rather than seeking God's help and approval in finding a king, they sought to advance their own power and selfish ambitions.
In the parable, the trees seek a king first from one of their own, an olive tree. But the olive tree is too content producing olives and oil. The fig tree and grapevine similarly have productive lives serving a purpose. They see no reason to give this up in order to rule over others.
In desperation, the trees turn to the thornbush and say, "Be our king." The thornbush can't believe his luck. If these other fools don't want the job, he'll take it! His thorns and brambles have always been despised. But now he'll show them!
The thornbush king demands absolute loyalty and makes threats to those who are disloyal. Jotham, the parable-teller, finishes by essentially saying, "May you get the leadership you deserve."
Often we get the leadership we deserve rather than the good leadership we truly need. But through God's goodness we have Christ as our King—our needed Savior. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Lord, forgive us when we seek rulers who have more ambition than wisdom. And help us to take refuge in the King who hung on a cross for our salvation. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
